Footage of a circus elephant being kicked and hit with a pitchfork was today shown at the trial of a husband and wife who are accused of causing it unnecessary suffering.

Bobby and Moira Roberts appeared at Northampton Crown Court accused of having kept the 58-year-old Asian elephant, called Anne, constantly chained to the ground at the Bobby Roberts Super Circus in Polebrook, Cambridgeshire.

Opening the case for the prosecution, Helen Law played video footage to Northampton Crown Court which showed the animal being struck several times by staff, kicked and hit with the pitchfork.

Mr and Mrs Roberts, of Brook Farm, Oundle, Northamptonshire, deny all the charges.